Everything in the Bible reveals some part of God's plan to create His eternal kingdom or shows us our rebellion. We must learn the essence of God's character to discern the difference.
Jesus told us He is the way, the truth, and the life, John 14:6; "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." so, following Him leads us to the Father because He is the truth the Father has shared with us; John 12:49-50, "For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak." Jesus can only tell us the truth, which is from the Father, and the Holy Spirit only came to remind us of what Jesus told us: John 14:26, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." so, ultimately, everything the Bible teaches us comes from the Father.
God told us He is love, John 4:16, "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." so, everything He creates must demonstrate His love, or it will work against His created order. Understanding God's love is the key element in helping us understand God and His plan.
When God creates, He reveals His character. So, when He completed the first part of His plan, Genesis 1:31, "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day." He declared His initial creation to be very good. This initial creation reflected God's nature, with "man" as the pinnacle of His creation. Genesis 1:27 says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Man, both male and female, were the pinnacle of His creation because they were created in God's image, thus making His initial creation very good.
Initially, when God created Adam and Eve, everything worked together for good; Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." When completed, His total plan will lead to His kingdom and will reflect His character, which is love; 1 Corinthians 13:10, "But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." Jesus, the perfect example of love, will return and do away with all that does not fit into His everlasting love.
Love is the elevation of the well-being of others above our own, which brings peace to all. When Jesus died on the cross, it was an example of God's love for us; John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." and Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." When we finally know God loves us unconditionally and that we cannot earn His love, Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." we freely return His love, 1 John 4:19, "We love him, because he first loved us." Love, once unconditionally given, returns to the giver as unconditional love. We can fulfill the command to love others the way God loves us, John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." It is not a transactional process. It is an evolutionary one. Our love freely given begins a process that attracts others and stimulates their love for us. Love is the reason heaven will be a place without pain or suffering. Revelation 21:4 says, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Everyone in heaven will love everyone else.
Therefore, love is the passport to heaven. When we love God as He loves us, we will return that love to Him and everyone else. Jeremiah 31:3, "The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." Lovingkindness is more fully defined in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." The fruit of the Spirit is the behavior that marks the Christian. This behavior will be ubiquitous in heaven. God did not create us to judge others; only ourselves and the fruits of the Spirit are the measuring sticks we should use. This behavior will make heaven a place without pain and suffering. It is not one of obeying laws, but rather, the natural behavior born from allowing God's love to flow through us.
Matthew 7:20-21, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Do our beliefs drive us to action? And do they drive us to the correct actions? Matthew 7:22-23, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Would we not do what Jesus commanded if we truly believed He was our Lord? Luke 6:46, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" God only tells us to do the things that provide abundant life for us and everyone else. That is the way He created everything to work together for good.
God's plan ends with everything working together eternally for good, thus revealing pure worship. Pure worship is the fulfillment of all God has created. So, we will worship God in heaven by fully living within His perfectly created order. We will all love each other. Service to others will not be a chore but rather the living out of the love God has given us; 1 Peter 4:10, "As every man hath received the gift, even so, minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." Jesus told us we will enter heaven because we have chosen love, and the fruit of that choice will be demonstrated by those we serve. Matthew 25:40, "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Think of a machine, each part working perfectly to fulfill its purpose. The abundant life Jesus told us about works this way. It is the opposite of the chaos, distress, and death the devil brings; John 10:10, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." When living within His created order, we will have the abundant life Jesus tells us about.
God's created order works perfectly when everything and everyone within it is living in alignment with the laws He used to make it. So, we do not choose to walk off of a 30-story building because the gravity God created to keep us on this planet would draw us to our death. His creation will produce our good and His glory. So, when we are living the way He created us to live, we are part of His glory, and that act of living is a form of worship. The goal is the creation of His eternal kingdom, where all are invited to participate.
This world thinks that an abundant life is having what we want in this life. We are created in the image of the eternal God. He is patient and confident that everything will work out for the best in the long run because He has seen the future. When we love and trust God, we gain the understanding that He has created everything to work together for eternal good for those who put their trust in Him; Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
An abundant life is without worry or the urges that must be immediately satisfied. It is one of joy brought by the hope Jesus promised. Circumstances cannot steal our peace and joy because this life is not the end; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
The abundant life teaches us that this chaotic world no longer has a hold over us, for it will soon be gone. So, when bad things happen in this world, we are no longer tossed to and fro, for we know it is not the end. Thus, we rest in His hope and can be patient, calm, and hopeful for the world to come, Eph 4:14-15, "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"
We can do things our way, or we can do things the way God created things to work together for good. Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." The problem with doing things our way is that it leads to death instead of His eternal kingdom. So, deciding to obey God is choosing to live an abundant life. Not because He told us to live that way but because it is the best way to live.
We have been created in the image of God. That is where our identity lies. Jesus tells us to give to God the things that are God's, Matthew 22:21, "They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's." We are the things of God. We should not bifurcate our lives. We should live all of our lives giving to God what He asks of us. When we play, do it to the glory of God. When we work, do it to the glory of God. When we interact with other people, we do it for the glory of God. We choose to do everything to the glory of God; 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
We are worth what Jesus paid for us, 1 Corinthians 6:20, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." We are valuable to God. What do we have to give to God that is worthy of His love, except ourselves? He doesn't want part of us. He wants all of our lives. Giving every part of our lives means we obey God and do what He created us to do, which leads to abundant life. What part of our lives have we given to something or someone that is not God? Correcting this mistake is what sanctification is all about. Let us place God in front of those things we are putting before Him.
Who is our Lord and God? Is it our money? Is it the opinion of others? Is it fame? Is it power? Is it the things we own? Is pleasure our God? Is it a perfect body? The most friends? A hobby? Or are we becoming our own God? What would happen if we all put God and the Great Commission first? Jesus did. He sacrificed His life to save us and advance God's plan. Should He expect less from us?
Luke 1:46, "And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord," When our souls magnify the Lord, we experience the joy God has promised us; Psalm 16:11, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." and John 15:11, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."
How do we change to become more like Him? Philippians 4:8-9, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Focusing our thoughts on good leads us to the fruit of the Spirit, which in turn transforms us into His likeness, Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Galatians 2:16, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." The purpose of the law is to show us that we are not capable of earning salvation from our works of the law because it is impossible; Galatians 2:21, "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." Why would Jesus come to die to save us if there was another way? Luke 22:42-44, "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."
God's grace saves us. It does not mean we can intentionally continue sinning; Romans 6:12, 14-16, "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof... For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Therefore, we can obey God and live abundantly. We have been created for good works, but they are not intended to save us; Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Our good works are the fruit of our being saved. They are part of our identity, created in His image to live as Jesus showed us.
We should not try to take credit for Jesus's victory in us; 1 Corinthians 15:57, "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." for Philippians 2:13, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." because Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
Knowing and loving God keeps us humble, which holds pride at bay. We should build our lives upon the gift of grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." We should acknowledge Him in all our ways, not some of them. It is only when we truly give our lives to Him, as our Lord, that we are entirely able to obey.
He came at the perfect time in history, Galatians 4:4-6, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." A time when Rome was providing protection. It was a time when the Roman Empire had a network of roads and a common language (Greek) that facilitated the spread of the Gospel. The Romans found scrolls cumbersome for lengthy works and developed the codex, individual pages written on vellum, papyrus, and other materials. This new material provided the means for a broader distribution of scripture and fueled the spiritual hunger in a society ready for His arrival with the Jewish people's growing desire for the promised Messiah.
God's timing is always perfect, and His plan is near completion. It will bring eternal peace to a world drowning in chaos and greed. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." When we live in His peace, we no longer worry, for we live abundant lives as citizens of His kingdom. We do not have to wait until Jesus's return to live an abundant life; John 10:10 says, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
So, here is the most important question you will ever answer, Matthew 16:13-15, "When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?"
God has placed us in unique places throughout this world. This blog is about sharing His Word; please share it with those you believe would be blessed by hearing it. Bless you! If you want to receive the weekly blog, email us at bill@reasoningwithgod.com. If you want to read past blogs, go to https://www.reasoningwithgod.com/blog.
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